Axe Reviews. Is more expensive better?! 

I want to thank my youtube crew. For seeing through the flashy tiktoks and still having the patience and interest to come see what I ACTUALLY am about on a deeper level. Have the best day. And remember, if you are taking the internet too seriously, you just need some fresh air. Talk soon! More fitness, health and outdoor advice...on the way!

He's humble, transparent and informative. This is one of the better channels on RU-vid.

I used the fiskars 8lbs iso maul for a few hours today. Definitely feeling it. Worked flawlessly on medium sized rounds, a lot of them were 1 hit splits 👍 This will be my second winter on a woodstove and I think I'm addicted to splitting and stacking firewood. Lol.

Try the Gransfors splitters. They've gotten me through 3 winters when I needed it. Their Small forest axe is my best friend when I camp or hike. It's such a pleasure to use.

Engineer here: on those breaking bolts. A broken bolt usually has 3 causes: -plate (the things you are clamping) is not stiff enough -bolt is too stiff (too short or too thick) -or the bolt is not tightened enough Since your bolts keep breaking, one of those things has to be the case. The first 2 would require a redesign by the manufacturer unless you are willing to modify your axe… However i don’t know how much you did tighten those bolts… Contrary to common believe, you are not protecting a bolt by tightening it less. If you want your bolts to last you have to tighten them as much as possible without destroying the thread..! (Also a Little loctite 243 might help…) Hope that could help, even tho it probably won’t :)

Tool Maker here, I don’t know if you’ve tried on that troublesome axe but they might’ve shipped with grade 5 or less bolts. Goin up to grade 8 and throwing some red thread locker on em might hold up a bit longer/ stop the need for readjustment. Keep up the insightful content brother 👍

I got an axe to split some big pieces of firewood I got for a deal. A lot harder than it looks so props to you for having these videos. My wife is a huge fan and I'll admit so am I! Saying hello from the big apple!

I've used Hultafors for a while now and they're good quality wooden haft axes for the money overall. only issue would be the purpose splitter range as they don't have the most aggressive head for really big logs to split, but if you target the edges of the log rather than the middle, it isn't much of an issue. My favourite of theirs's is the trekking axes for bushcraft

My family has a saying. Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice. No idea where that originated but my dad has a copper version of it in his woodshop that my grandfather had before.

Thanks for letting us know about those bolts breaking. The company should absolutely see that feedback and adjust their product accordingly. You're doing a great job letting your viewers know about the dangers of that axe. Somebody could die while swinging it. Thanks bud, keep up the great work.

Took my dad's old ax with a warped handle and made it a bit shorter for splitting and I love it. Still has a little bit of a curve but helps to swing it to the side if you are not seasoned.

This is probably one of your best videos man. I like this type of video over your short form content. No BS axe reviews.

I have the Helco and I have not had the same issues. I don't use it super often, I typically use a Fiskers splitting maul. Nice video

Im a caretaker of a few HultsBruk axes from the 1940-1960, and a small Gränsfors hatchet, and a finnish Kellokoski 12.2 axe. Love them all.

Come for the axe content, stay for the amazing personality

You gotta try the Gransfors bruks splitting maul, I’ve got one and love it, the feel of the handle is perfect and profile of the head splits for fun, it’s light, only 7lbs so can go all day with it. If anyone’s done it right it’s them guys

Only thing that might be an issue for you with the Gransfors bruks splitting maul is the length. I’m 5’10 and found it to be short at first, but if you stick with it, get used to it, you’d be hard set to find a better maul

Great video! Love the honest, no bullshit approach. It's refreshing.

I have the Gransfors bruk carving hatchet i use in the woods and I love it. I don't sit wood much but I do appreciate the reviews. Thanks

that is so nice ,thanks Thoren .got so many useful information from this video.👍

I have that exact same collins maul, bout it in 2018. It looks rough from years of abuse but i still use it to this day.. kudos

I just got an estwing 8 lb. Maul and absolutely love it. For 40 bucks can't go wrong. It has that aggressive profile almost comparable to an axe, but with a really nice flare.

Thoren, first of all thanks for your wood cracking videos and reels. We moved out of the city and have now more landside. Also we now have an offen and need of course wood. My first axe was a X25 from Fiskars and I also bought a X27 to get a longer handle. I saw your video and your concern about the Helko Vario 2000 and the Saxon. I will go for both to test them for me. I also saw that they have a Tomahawk handle (fiber) where you can put on the Vario blades into it. Without you I never would know that Helko is sitting in my working town Wuppertal and made this cool axes. Thanks

Love my bruised up synthetic maul. Appreciate your advice

Good video! Would be definitely interested in a review of the Gränsfors Bruk large splitting axe with long handle and their splitting maul! Thought you were a fellow Canadian in all the snow but your from Northern California?

I split wood for a living about a total of 12 months as well as tons at home and in my free time. I've used a fiskers 5 lbs splitting axe for the entirety of that time its never broke and splits beautifully

I rather enjoyed this video. Just chilling and talking about tools. Thanks for the chill.

Really appreciate your honesty and transparency. Good video man 🪓

Literally had the splitter ordered today till I saw this. I’ll go with the vario model. Thanks for the heads up.

Have many Gransfors axes, all excellent. Have the splitting axe and a maul among others.

“Well, you just don’t know how to blah blah blah” Said every fellow guy who has gotten in their bag over poor purchases.

I have the hinterland,hessen and spaltaxt all are great have had them for years never had any problems just have to take care of your tools. Great video

I have a Fiskars Maul and it's worked for me. But I don't split with it that often, usually sledge things in place. I think I used it once to help with replacing a seized wheel bearing from the hub lol

How down to earth you are, despite your gifts and skills, is good to see. Stay humble, friend, and thank you for sharing such unique and... honestly, encouraging content! 👍🏾💪🏾✝️

Love the real talk. Not sugar coated to appease the companies. Stay safe and thank you for all your videos.

The Fiskars 8 lb splitting maul is nothing like the Collins or Truper...or any other Maul. First off, like you said, break it they will replace it. Second, with the vibration dampening handle, it feels so much better and less tiring. Third, it just plain Works better, possibly due to the different design of the head; it is like no other Maul head in existence and if you try one, I am pretty sure that you will finally have found your favorite Weapon of Wood Splitting Mass Destruction!!! $69.00 bucks online. You can buy three of them for one of those Helkos you hate so much. If you break it, you have a back up reading l ready to go. Break it, the it to where you bought it and get a new one...or just email a pic to Fiskars. At least that's what I did for my geared lopper my son broke, can't a pic and they sent a blade!

You might try using Grade 8 bolts on that axe, they are usually coated with a dark green surface, and are *way* tougher than regular shiny hardware store bolts.

I have a 6lb collins maul with a hickory handle that has been holding up very well! Pretty great for the price

Also Look into ARP fasteners for your helco. they make high strength fasteners for the automotive industry. I bet they have some bolts in that size that wont break no matter how hard you swing it.

Check out bucking Billy Ray , has an axe called the wood bullet , planning on ordering one this springs I use mauls more than axes due to the hardwoods I have to split but they are definitely bad ass

Great vid man and my first maul was a truper great worker had it over three years and it still dies the job

Have you tried council tools woodcraft pack axe? By no means is it a felling axe, but for small jobs, that thing is amazing, and the head of the axe is beautiful.

Ohh hey, it took until the end but you did mention Fiskars replacement/customer service is very good. I'm by no means on your skill level so having a good tool that can be replaced when I fuck up, definitely a selling point. Great video, I'm subscribing.

Wow what a bummer. I have been wanting to add that axe to my collection. It is very cool looking. But you are right, I would not want to deal with it on a regular basis.

That neat helko has metal to metal mating surface, not good for repeated heavy impacts. Thats why its shearing bolts, when you tighten them over n over the bolts are stretching n getting weaker each time. Thx, good info 🇺🇲

A good question is if there would be the perfect splitting axe, especially since not everybody uses it the same way, but also because of softer-harder wood. I have thought about making such a perfect head myself: Not too heavy, purposefully dented surface immediately after the edge (to have less contact area) and an agressive gradient, much like that last maul. Last but not least, I will make the eye bigger, because for me, the connection from handle to head always appears as the weakest link

I truly enjoy your videos im 62 from Hungary I spitting wood every day… gransford bruks is my only axes i use…. I would like to know where to get suspenders like you wear… and i also have all the manscape equipment lol

Thanks for the reviews. Looking into axes at this time🙏

I think Collins is now owned by the same company as truper and from what I have seen the Collins seems like the better finished versions but they seem to have the same head and handles in many cases but the Collins looks a bit better for 25-35%more money but we're talking $25vs $35 maybe $50 for their upper limit. I have owed a Collins boys axe /hatchet for the canoe and recently picked up a truper 3.5 felling axe. They are some of the nicest inexpensive hardware store axes I have used. Go to the store and pick out one with a good handle and hang, I haven't seen any bad grinds but be picky and prepared to go a few different places if necessary but it is definitely worth the effort. Their wood handles can be great, and there is nothing wrong with the heads that a file can't cure.

What ace would you recommend for felling? I’m going to be starting a log cabin soon, and would love to know your opinion.

13:35 Fiskars never break. They are way different and way more stable than the other companies lol. They are a 500 year old company from Finnland

Hell ya appreciate the honesty

@ThorenBradley, on that bolt axe, have you tried using ASTM A490 Type 3 bolts... might be worth your time to check on them. The tinsel strength on the is about 150,00lbs-170k

Thanks for the honesty. I bought a cheap kobalt splitting axe and it dies alright. Think I'm gonna have to go ahead and get an 8 pound maul soon

I love and appreciate your honesty. You always tell it like it is without blowing smoke up my ass. Thanks Thor! 🤘😎💗

The 8 pounders with synthetic handles are the real ones. Old cheap reliable. The tool you abuse the fuck out off and never take care but you always know it will be there for you. My dad has one of these at home and I have using it since high school to slowly learn how to split wood. They just refuse to die and frankly they do not hurt your hands that much even after using them for 2 to 4 hours of splitting random piece of wood.

Grade 8 bolts if it does not have it. Also try fitting a thin sheet of felt or clothe between the two pieces of metal. It may lessen vibration and stress on the bolts

Underrated video, you are the man,bro 🙏

A great honest review. Great wisdom, freely shared. Thanks

Thor, you need to design the perfect axe head, and the perfect handle; then contact a company whom you trust to build it for you. Put your name on it. It will sell like a wild fire spreads! Love your videos, keep doin it! Delores

I have no need to learn about axes or splitting wood, but finding these videos so interesting

Damn, I have that same Hellko Werk axe, split a couple of cords of wood with it and nothing has broken yet. I wonder if there's some higher grade bolts you could use so it never breaks. I love that axe.

at this point you should make your own axe product thoren.

idk why but splitting wood is the only work where i come back from and cant wait for the next day. I can do it for ever i think

Hi Thoren, would you be able to post or share a closeup of the broken surfaces of the bolts on the Helko Vario? Also, what diameter are they?

Feel the same about the Saxon Splitter - 90cm lengrg and about 2-2,3kg (~5 pounds) head would be near perfect.

Gransfors is quite good. I like any of the Swedish axes I've tried.

I'm Brazilian and I really liked this channel

There is also Ochsenkopf from germany they are quite popular here.

I am a straight, happily married man living in Phoenix Arizona (no need for firewood) and I’ve been watching you split wood for the last hour. Why is it so good?

"Have axe around the house to give to kids when they come so they can play with it." This is the way it's supposed to be. Of course, supervise them a little bit, but let kids explore tools even if they are sharp. If they cut themselves, great, lesson learned! They'll heal!

I just asked you on tiktok the other day your views on axes, and was so stoked to see this video and hear your views🤘

Brother, thank you I swear I thought I was the only one every beard I see is perfectly manicured and trimmed and just so nice… Too nice lol not saying I don’t keep my beard healthy but it is definitely not prissy and primped🤪🤙🏻

I enjoy your RU-vid channel! Keep the videos coming

Fiskars are the best. The shock absorption and steel core etc. make it more comfortable and nearly indestructible

Off the topic just a quick question what's your favorite brand and style of pants for working?

If your Collins 8lb maul with the fibreglass/composite handle comes loose or breaks, then there is the opportunity to replace it with a timber handle. There is no need to throw it away. If you don't have the skills to replace the handle, there are plenty of instructional videos on youtube to help you.

Thank you for making this video I think you saved me from buying that 2 piece Helko

I have no idea why I like this guy so much. I'm not even into wood splitting, but I find myself watching anyway.

Appreciate the honesty.

Try a Gransfors Bruks maul, it will replace every other maul you’ve ever used.

Surprised the Helko Wurk didn't work out for you. I've had a feller and a splitting maul and so far after a few hundred hours (200-300) of use on pine, oak, and ash I've never had the bolts break. Cracked a handle with a few bad overstrikes when I got tired one day, but nothing like what you are seeing. I got the Helko Wurk after I went through two Fiskars whose handles kept snapping around where I gripped (so I don't think it was overstrike). Still each their own, and glad to hear your thoughts on it.

When you said it’s good for limbs with the pause after I was watching like 😳 haha jk. Awesome video man! Very informative

Hola Thoren, te veo desde Argentina, puro poder el tuyo 🔥

"Im not strong", swing 4/5 kilos axe head every day 😂

Meanwhile tens of thousands of women are watching a beard trimmer ad.

I have an idea to make the vario last longer. I want one now just to modify it.

Collin’s axe is an amazing company and has been for years! Thank you for all of these tips and stuff bro, as someone who just started a business

Serious question, no jealousy included. What have you done to be able to afford this rural lifestyle, killer house, and maybe the best home gym I've ever seen? You are living the life I want for my family so I am genuinely curious. Thanks.

Lol I was looking at one of those Vario 2000 Splitting Axe, but hearing this I am not. Im a 265lb guy, wouldn't want to replace bolts either. I have heard Gransfors bruks, makes incredible axes.

Gave you a like because of the “that’s what she said” joke

Common now. Not one comment about mentoring the kids. Boys and girls should always have blade play. Sharpening ,cutting and all the rest. Nice job.

My 8lb Collins maul still going after 20+ yrs but I prefer the lighter Gransfor Bruks maul. Axes, I’d choose the Tuatahi work axe. Good video.

Dude send that second axe to cody, wranglerstar. He could probably make any type of handle you’d like.

@ThorenBradley This was a great video. I started splitting with a maul @7 and 50lbs. Ive used quite a few styles, and to Me, the biggest difference for any axe is Just the Way you swing. Like a pendulum with 3 arms. When you engage each point in order at the right moment, Any axe will usually do the same job, its wether or not You Break it. I saw you split a round with a sledgehammer. 😂 So, all your really doing here is being polite and responsive to many requests. Really man, I never saw a single video of you being calm and polite like this. After our little chat the other day, all im seeing is theses Nice, Calm, informative videos..😂 the hacksmith made a maul with a rocket booster on it. You should get ahold of him and do a video with that. Collaboration.. You Rock man!🎉

My Fiskars is fucking amazing. I use it on eucalyptus and it performs exceptionally well. Thanks for keeping it real, because I don't have big bucks to spend on a splitting axe. I thought I had done well and it's nice to hear it backed up by a professional that I trust.

You made this video 2 weeks too late lol I bought the Vario 2000 but the smaller splitting axe not the large log splitter and it sat in my garage for a month and I recently used it, I like it but I am afraid that the head would become loose and the bolts will break just from the feel of it. Also, I thinned out the handle for the Saxon Splitter and it feels much better but I agree that 36 inch handle would've been ideal. Lastly, if you can get your hands on a vintage tasmanian axe from either plumb or hytest, try that. I have a feeling you will fell in love with those.

Have you tried swapping to Grade 8 bolts on the Helko?

I got a fiskers and I loved it so much I bought the hatchet…real nice deal

What are your thoughts on Fiskars x27 is it good for splitting not so big pieces?